So you got a puppy for Christmas, eh? Take these two steps back to sanity! Here we are a few short days from the arrival of this furry creature and today life returns to ‘normal’. Not for you though, I bet. It’s only today as you deal with new puppy all on your own without the help and distractive element that your family provided over the holidays that you realize […] Read more »

Most children who get bitten by a dog are bitten by the family dog. Surprised? Those aren’t the stories that get reported on the news though… those stories don’t sell. In fact, it’s probable that the kids who get bitten by the family dog don’t talk about it much at all. It’s kind of one of those ‘family secrets’ (we wouldn’t want anyone to know we have that kind of […] Read more »

Buy a bag of puppy chow. Dump the prescribed amount in a bowl several times a day. That’s it, isn’t it? I sincerely hope not and I suspect very few people treat feeding a new puppy in such a casual fashion. I am alway s surprised at the number of people who ask me about puppy feeding. It makes sense to have concerns about what you feed if you believe […] Read more »

Young puppies follow you around. It’s super easy to train them to ‘come’ when you call them. If you don’t get started right away though, it becomes a little more challenging when you attempt to train an adolescent or even adult dog to ‘come ‘ when you call. Even the puppies will begin to “blow you off” once they reach adolescence. No matter the age of your pup, the steps […] Read more »

If your pup doesn’t come when you call, that is not only frustrating but can be life threatening! It will take time and effort on your part but you can have your dog come to you 90% of the time. Register for my FREE webinar Read more »

What could be more delightful to watch and in keeping with a dog’s nature than to see him racing around an open space or haring thither and yon on the track of some invisible prey in the woods? Conjures up great pictures, doesn’t it? But is it safe to let your pup run off-leash? Here on the Sunshine Coast, BC there are lots of woodsy trails well-utilized by dogs and […] Read more »

The scenario: You started working with (training)your puppy the day you brought him home at 8 weeks. Over the next couple of months you trained him to ‘sit’, ‘come’, ‘stay’, lie ‘down’, ‘stand’ up,’look’ at me and walk nicely on a leash. You and everyone else are impressed with you and your clever pup. One day while romping off leash in a safe area, you call, “Rover, ‘come’.” Rover glances […] Read more »

3 tips to keep your dogs happy and safe this Hallowe’en 1.Extra exercise early in the day 2.A quiet space 3.Company Exercise If there are kids in your house or if you live in a kid-filled neighbourhood, Hallowe’en energy can be pretty frenetic. Your pup will be less likely to respond to this energy if he’s had plenty of exercise during the day before the doorbell starts announcing the little […] Read more »

They love unconditionally They get us moving. They get us outside no matter the weather They lead us to be creative. They are always ready to comfort They show us how to age gracefully They bear pain stoically They show us how to be compassionate They understand empathy They appreciate food and shelter They tolerate and forgive humans They remind us to laugh They show us how to cry […] Read more »

You’ve seen them. I know you have…person and dog walking down the street totally in tune with one another; the dog gambolling through the woods who upon hearing,’Come’, speeds off to his person, the dog who sits patiently on the sidewalk while his person has a lengthy chat with a friend… That kind of interaction is hard to imagine right at this moment as you look at the peeing, pooping […] Read more »